Geno Smith laughingly admitted he “got caught up in the moment” of draft-night euphoria when he predicted the New York Jets were going to the playoffs next season.
But the former West Virginia star said he’s eager to begin absorbing the Jets offense and competing with Mark Sanchez for the starting quarterback’s job.
“My goal is to be a franchise quarterback but, as of right now, there’s a lot of work to be done,” Smith said Saturday during the team’s introductory press conference. “I’ve got to handle my playbook, I’ve got to get into the weight room, and start preparing myself for training camp right now.”
After starting for three seasons at WVU, including two years under Dana Holgorsen, Smith said he feels prepared to handle whatever the NFL hurls at him.
“Luckily in my (college) offense I was given a tremendous amount of freedom,” he said. “The coaches, Dana, and the rest of the staff really trusted me with the offense and knew that I was going to take care of the ball so week in and week out, I was a part of putting together game plans and I really had fun executing in that offense. It’s one where you can really shine and really flourish, and I think it helped me grow over the course of the past few years.
“It was 100-percent freedom. I had the ability to check to any play at any given time. I’d like to thank Dana for understanding that I do work hard at this game and I take it very seriously. My preparation is one of the things that I think separated me in college from most guys. When it comes down to it, Dana knew that I was going to make the best decisions at all times, or at least try to. They gave me the ability to change formations and plays on any given down.”
Next comes mini-camp and a chance to show the Jets were wise to make him the second quarterback selected overall. He had hoped they would take him at No. 13 in the first round, even hearing that the first-round pick boiled down to himself and Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, whom New York selected. Some 26 picks and one day later, Smith was still available when the Jets chose at No. 39.
With Tim Tebow and veteran David Garrard also on the roster, who knows how next season will play out, and whether the Jets can deliver on Smith’s promise of making the playoffs.
“I think it was a bit of a bold prediction, I kind of got caught up in the moment,” Smith said. “I think going into the season every team has the same goal, and that’s to win the Super Bowl. So I don’t see it as a terribly bad thing per say, but as of right now it may be a bit of a bold prediction.
“It was just one of those spur of the moment things. I’m not going to take it back, but what’s done is done.”
FREE-AGENT SIGNEES
WVU center Joe Madsen signed a free-agent deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night, while Jeff Braun agreed to a contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
“I’m going to the steelers baby. black and yellow #steelernation,” Madsen tweeted not long after the 254th and final pick was unveiled.
Running back Shawne Alston signed with the New Orleans Saints, while receiver J.D. Woods will go to minicamp with the Steelers.